Press Release

06/03/2009 11:50 AM ET

Major Leaguers to teach baseball and life skills to inner-city youth

Players Trust launches newly-created City Clinics program in Phoenix on June 10

MLBPA Press Release

NEW YORK -- Major League baseball players will begin teaching baseball and important life skills to 3,000 disadvantaged children from inner-cities across the United States, when they launch their first in a series of 10 City Clinics in Phoenix, AZ, on Wednesday, June 10, it was announced today by the Major League Baseball Players Trust.

The Players Trusts City Clinics program is a grass-roots campaign underwritten and developed by -- and featuring the active participation of -- current Major Leaguers to promote the game of baseball, life skills and education to underprivileged children, ages 6-16, in select cities across the country.

The Players Trust developed the City Clinics program in partnership with the Major League Baseball Players Alumni Associations Legends for Youth program. Children participating in these free City Clinics will receive hands-on instruction from current and former big leaguers in areas such as base running, pitching, hitting, throwing and fielding. During each 3-hour session, City Clinics 300 attendees also will participate in a life skills discussion with active and former players, and receive free T-shirts, autographs and refreshments.

Major Leaguers feel a sense of responsibility to make sure baseball continues to be played by kids all across the country, especially children living in urban areas, said Tony Clark, Arizona Diamondbacks first baseman and a Trustee of the Players Trust. Through the City Clinics program, we hope the personal involvement of Major Leaguers will help ignite a passion for the game in children who otherwise may not have the chance to experience the fun and excitement of playing this great game. We also hope to teach them that through hard work and perseverance their dreams can come true.

When City Clinics makes its first stop at Randy Johnson Field (Eastlake Park) in Phoenix, on June 10, 300 area children will learn the game of baseball from some of their local big league heroes, including current Diamondbacks players Clark, Felipe Lopez and Justin Upton. Joining current Major Leaguers in Phoenix will be former players Duffy Dyer, John DAcquisto, Kevin Young and others.

Future City Clinics dates and locations will be announced as they become final.